Silk Scarf Painting with Sally Walsh – Thursday, March 26 @ 1pm
Kick off your retreat in a creative way by painting a silk scarf using nature-inspired motifs and designs. Using special fabric paint, create a unique and fashionable silk scarf. Sally Walsh will lead you through this relaxing and creative workshop with the best tips and tricks to paint on silk. All students will leave with a one-of-a-kind scarf.
Nature Journal Group Mini Lessons – Thursday, March 26 @ 5:00-6:30pm
From Field to Page: Using Pressed Botanicals in Your Nature Journal with Sara Gentry
Discover simple, ethical ways to press and preserve plants and incorporate them into your nature journal. This discussion will explore pressing methods, attachment techniques, and creative ideas for letting botanicals tell their story on the page.
Make Your Own Nature Journal with Kira Lyon
Join us for a hands-on demo where we’ll make simple, beginner friendly handmade notebooks for nature journaling. This notebook will be uniquely yours and perfect for field notes, sketches, and observations. Come make a journal that’s ready to head outdoors with you!
Staying Safe in Nature with Kathy Pelanek
Learn ways on how to keep your body and mind safe when exploring nature including what to do when you’re caught outside in a storm, situational awareness, and environmental safety.
Creative Approaches to Nature Journaling with Belinda Beccue
Explore mixed media techniques, personal ephemera materials, experimentation and unorthodox journal formats to create a personal and expressive nature journal. We will look at several examples of papers, maps, printed images, and text that can be added to your journal to create visual interest and descriptive writing
Monarch Miracle & Paint Chip Poetry with Michael Jeffords and Susan Post – Friday, March 27 @ 10am-12pm
Michael Jeffords and Susan Post are biologists who travel to experience the world’s biodiversity. Using the monarch butterfly’s migration and overwintering as an example, they will share insights and techniques on how to experience nature in a meaningful way, creating more than just check marks, lists, or soon-to-be forgotten memories.
About the Presenters:
Dr. Michael R. Jeffords is the retired education/outreach director for the Natural History Survey (INHS). Mr. Jeffords is an entomologist, freelance photographer, writer, and educator focused on biodiversity.
Susan L. Post is a retired research scientist of entomology at the Illinois Natural History Survey with a focus on exotic, invasive species. Susan is a photographer and freelance writer and the author of Hiking Illinois.
Michael and Susan have traveled the world to research, photograph, and write about the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The following books have been co-written by Michael and Susan:
Butterflies of Illinois—A Field Guide: A Comprehensive Illustrated Guide to Butterflies in the Prairie State
Exploring Nature in Illinois—A Field Guide to the Prairie State
Curious Encounters with the Natural World from Grumpy Spiders to Hidden Tigers
Drawing Birds with Nate Beccue – Friday, March 27 @ 1:30-3:30pm
In this class, you will learn techniques for sketching birds both in the field and from photographs. We will explore bird feather anatomy and focus on how emphasizing key feather structures can make your sketches more accurate, dynamic, and lifelike.
We will then work on a couple of more polished illustrations. One will feature a Pileated Woodpecker, one of Allerton’s most charismatic birds. For this project, we will work from a taxidermy specimen and reference photographs. Finally, we will welcome a live guest from the owl family for a concluding illustration session.
Using Illustrations & Sketches for Mammal Identification with Fran Harty – Friday, March 27 @ 4:00-5:00pm
Instructor Fran Harty will discuss the natural history and biology of native mammals and why using sketches and illustrations is helpful in identification. Fran will bring mammal skulls and skins for students to sketch along with some illustrations of mammal skulls, feet, bodies, tracks, etc. Participant will learn how these skills can be useful in their nature journals.
Mycelium Networks & Mushroom Folklore with Lee Schuler – Saturday, March 28 @ 9:00-10:30am
Learn more about how mushrooms communicate within their natural environment and other organisms. Lee will also share information on mushroom folklore and myths throughout history.
Mushroom “Junk Journal” Page with Julie Jean – Saturday, March 28 @ 10:30-11:30am
Create your own Mushroom Junk Journaling Page with a selection of papers, textural elements, stamps, inks, and mixed media
OPEN STUDIO: OPTIONS FOR FURTHER LEARNING
Beginning Watercolor Techniques for Nature Journaling with Belinda Beccue – Thursday, March 26 @ 7:30pm (and after hike)
Learn the basics of observing still life objects from nature, conveying form, texture, color, through a variety of watercolor washes and brush techniques. We will discuss line, color theory, value, and implied texture and how to convey detail of field specimens. Sample objects from nature will include animal skulls, turtle shell, seashells, mussels, plants, flowers, and seed pods.
Branch Weaving with Belinda Beccue – Friday, March 27th @ 7:30pm
We will use a tree branch as the foundation for an off-loom weaving embellished with nature objects and fibers for textural and design interest. A variety of yarns, cords, twine, and roving, will combine with natural objects including dried flowers, grasses, leaves, moss, bark, fur, acorns seashells, and seed pods to create a one of a kind weaving. Weaving techniques taught will include Tabby, basketweave, tapestry (interlocking weave), soumak, and rya knot. Finished pieces may be hung, placed in vases, or displayed on shelves.
Led by Belinda Beccue
